No Decision to Withdraw Armed Forces : Home Affairs Advisor

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday said that the government has not made any decision to withdraw members of the armed forces from the field.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the adviser said, “The armed forces will remain deployed as they are. There has been no decision to withdraw 50% of the troops.”

He also dismissed concerns over the activities of the banned Awami League, saying there was “no apprehension regarding their programmes.”

Earlier on 5 November, Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman, general officer commanding at Army Headquarters, said during a briefing that the extended field deployment of army personnel had disrupted training and other regular activities.

He added, “We want a peaceful and fair election to be held soon so that army members can return to their barracks.”

The adviser’s remarks came amid growing speculation about possible troop reductions ahead of the upcoming national elections.